Hungary’s Orban stirs up concerns of a Trump surprise for EU leaders
Some diplomats think the Hungarian PM might invite Trump to dial into a coming European summit if he retakes the White House
Viktor Orban held a phone call with Donald Trump on Thursday, raising concerns among some European Union officials that the Hungarian premier may be planning to invite him to dial into an coming EU meeting should he win next week’s US election.
Orban, who posted on social media that he had spoken to the Republican presidential candidate to wish him the best of luck ahead of the November 5 vote, could ask him to join EU leaders via a video link or share a recorded message when they meet in Budapest next week, according to several EU diplomats.
Such a move is likely to annoy many other EU leaders, the diplomats said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The Hungarian premier has cultivated a close relationship with Trump, which he would likely seek to capitalise on in the event the former US president returns to the White House. US polls suggest the race is a toss-up and it could be days before results are known.
Budapest is hosting an informal EU summit on November 8 and a larger meeting of the European Political Community the previous day. The bloc’s leaders are expected to discuss the outcome of the election over dinner on November 7.
Some of the diplomats said rumours of a potential invite had been circulating in Brussels for a while, a reflection of the unease in several capitals toward Hungary for leaving them in the dark before.
